Victory: Seed sharing platform disrupting dangerous companies who control more than 60% of the global seed supply

(Natural News)
A new peer-to-peer seed sharing program could turn the agricultural
world upside-down. In order to help preserve biodiversity and increase
food security, some gardeners and small farmers are focusing on growing
and saving seeds from heirloom plants and crops. Heirloom crops and
plants that can be open-pollinated and that have adapted to specific
climates and environments are integral to maintaining genetic diversity
among plants and helps to ensure food security.Modern farming practices, however, have taken their toll on
biodiversity. In fact, in less than a century, the United States alone
has seen fruit and vegetable seed diversity decrease by 1200percent. In
total, about 93 percent of once-diverse crop and plant species have
vanished. Worldwide, plant diversity has decreased by a staggering 75
percent. Consolidation of agriculture has had a serious impact on plant
life, and monoculture farming practices don’t help the matter. As
reported, “[M]onocultures strip the land of nutrients: Where you once
had self-sustaining harvest cycles, you get farm land denuded of
nutrients that then needs copious chemical fertilizers to grow more
food. And the crops themselves become vulnerable to plant diseases.”The dangers of monoculture farming
are made worse by the fact that just five companies own more than 60
percent of the global seed market. Monsanto, Dow, Bayer, Syngenta and
DuPont have all but dominated the agricultural marketplace, and their
presence has had deleterious effects on both the industry and the
environment. The corporate monopoly is so bad that regulations have even
made it possible for these companies to outlaw the collection and
replanting of seeds — and many farmers have become trapped in a cycle of
ever-shrinking crop diversity. Not only are these practices hard on
farmers, they also set the stage for a possibly devastating food
security crisis: Reduced diversity generally equals increased
susceptibility, after all. And it’s well-known that plant diversity increases crop health and bolsters harvests — even if these toxic agribusinesses want consumers to believe otherwise.But there is hope; many farmers and home gardeners are looking to not
only increase biodiversity, but to “stick it” to the corporate world
through this new peer-to-peer seed sharing program. Thanks to the Center
for Food Safety, this seed-sharing initiative
has a global platform to be shared on. This massive network will serve
to allow more people to take part in the conservation and preservation
of plant diversity — as well as to save “our public food system from
corporate consolidation.”As TreeHugger explains,
“The Global Seed Network is meant to be used by farmers, home
gardeners, nonprofit organizations, and the general public, who can
connect with other seed savers to trade for uncommon and
disease-resistant varieties that are tailored to their soil and climate
conditions.”This “social network” for seeds will not only provide opportunities
for seed swapping, but also the opportunity for people to share their
knowledge and experiences with a variety of growing techniques, to
answer each other’s questions and more. The site will also feature a
search function so users can learn more about plant species native to
their region and what will grow best where they live, soil conditions,
natural pest prevention, plant diseases, watering needs and more. Truly,
the network will be an endless fountain of knowledge for active and
engaged users.
You can learn more about this outstanding initiative at GlobalSeedNetwork.org.Sources:TreeHugger.comNaturalNews.com